Event - 'Go Higher - Stay Local' Progression Opportunities Fair
Higher Education Fair and Exhibition for learners, in conjunction with Aimhigher South Yorkshire.
Thursday 17 April 2008, The Hubs, Sheffield Hallam University
General news
14-19 Education - New streamlined qualifications system will provide clarity for young people, parents and employers (DCSF, 31 March 2008)
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls today published proposals to simplify the qualifications system so that all courses are well understood and valued, and offer young people a clear route into further study or directly into skilled employment.
14-19 Education - Curriculum for the Diploma(QCA, 1 April 2008)
information and guidance on the curriculum for the Diploma, published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
14-19 Education - Vocational qualifications to go under A level reforms (Times, 1 April 2008)
Thousands of vocational qualifications, including basic-level awards for cake decoration, nail art and parking control, face the axe from state schools and colleges in a bonfire of certificates, the Government has said.
14-19 Education - From miner's son to the top of ITV(Guardian, 7 April 2008)
ITV Chairman Clive Jones urges the government to be brave over new diplomas to improve diversity.
Apprenticeships - Apprenticeships Strategy(Unionlearn, 31 March 2008)
TUC response to World Class Apprenticeships consultation.
Employers - Just the job for learning(Guardian, 1 April 2008)
The government is looking for employers to foot more of the bill for universities by tailoring their courses.
Higher Education - 'Clearer' student access demanded (BBC, 8 April 2008)
England's universities will be required to have "transparent" admissions policies to convince people they are not biased, the government has decided.
IAG - Local Authorities to run Connexions from 1 April 2008 (Every Child Matters, 28 March 2008)
As part of their Area Based Grant, local authorities will have the Connexions grant from 1 April, making them responsible for delivery of the Connexions service and enabling them to tailor provision to meet local need.
Skills - Construction Union wants to raise trade skills for London 2012(Times, 31 March 2008)
Workers in the process of building London's Olympic Games facilities will effectively be deskilled because their training falls short of government recommendations, according to the main construction union.
Widening Participation - John Denham Speech (DIUS, 8 April 2008)
John Denham's speech on widening participation at the HEFCE annual conference at Warwick University.
Widening Participation - Denham sets out new measures to unlock the talent of England's young people (DIUS, 8 April 2008)
Creating a transparent and open admissions process is one of a range of new measures which will be announced by John Denham in a speech on widening participation at the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) annual conference today.
Workplace Training - Employer and Provider Training Recognition (QCA, 1 April 2008)
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has today announced the second wave of employers to achieve awarding body status and that more than 30 employers have now taken advantage of new opportunities to have their training accredited nationally.
Event - Higher Apprenticeships Seminar (SEMTA)
19 June 2008, Broadward House, Westminster, London
With higher level skills, employer engagement and access into higher education high on the political and economic agenda, the Higher Apprenticeship developed by our employers has never been more relevant.
For further details contact Sarah Gray on 01923 652 398 or sgray@semta.org.uk
Study Visits - European Transversal Study Visits
If you're a learning professional involved in the design or delivery of education or vocational training, you could benefit from a Transversal Study Visit in another European country. Deadline for applications: 30 April 2008.
Publications
Consultation - Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver (DCSF/DIUS)
Consultation on the transfer of planning and funding responsibilities for 16-19 year olds from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to Local Authorities and proposals for reforming the post 19 landscape.
